j.o.y in living out the gospel

People always seem to think of their faith as a one hour a week type of thing that they have to do on Sunday's because that’s what they were told for as long as they could remember but that it isn’t a hobby. Having a faith is about a change in lifestyle. It doesn’t just change what you do but your faith will (should) change who you are on a fundamental level. It is the central guide to every decision you make and has an impact on every choice you make in every aspect of life. All of this being said, faith is not restricting your way of life. When we live our faith we are capable of more than we could ever imagine. We have written accounts of things that scientifically make no sense but that is because we live to follow a God who isn’t restricted by science. He created it but that’s a whole other topic. Living the Gospel is an incredible thing to strive for because you’re living out the purpose of your life. People often wonder “what does the universe want me to do?” anyone who has seen How I Met Your Mother has heard that a million times but who cares what the universe wants when you can do what the CREATOR of the universe wants for you?

Living your faith sets you free. The only thing that is holding you back is sin. Sin constricts us, it traps us, it is what keeps you captive. In our world today, people always seem to think that those who practise their faith are weak but those who live the Gospel are those strong enough to fight sin and those humble enough to know that they can’t do it on their own and listen to the one who made them with a purpose. What true weakness looks like are people who give in to temptation because giving in is 100% easier than standing up for what you believe in. Just like anything else, it takes time, practise and failure to live the Gospel. People seem to give it one go and just get frustrated when things don’t go exactly how they planned. If you want to get better at basketball you don’t go, take one shot, miss, say “screw it” and go home. If you want to get better you’ll have to put in work day in and day out. We all have things in our lives that we are willing to give up so much for. It could be our work, our family, a hobby or a special someone but at the end of our lives what really matters is how much of our life we gave to the one who gave us life. We are all chosen and called. The question then is; are you strong enough to fight and humble enough to listen?

There really isn’t a cookie cutter, three step way of how to live the Gospel. If only it was that easy… It is a constant, conscientious, conscious decision to live for something bigger than yourself. This looks different for every individual person but some examples could be; committing to daily prayer, going out of your way to help someone, daily examination of conscious or a billion other things. That’s a beautiful thing about the Catholic Church. It truly is universal because there isn’t that “one way” of doing things. Living the way we are called to bring so much joy into our lives but joy is spelt J.O.Y for a reason. I has to be our priority list.

J - Jesus

O - Others

Y - Yourself

Some people seem to think that they key to happiness is when others serve them but that isn’t bringing joy that’s Y.O.J or Y.J.O and I don’t even know what that is… We are called to spread the Gospel to all those around us and as Saint Francis of Assisi said “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” That is a real call to love. If we live in this way you won’t have to go out looking for people to tell about God. If we live in this way of love, people will come to us asking about God. We are called to love our God above all, to love and serve others and if we do this, we will live a life full of joy and love. Love not only received but given and at the fundamental core, that is what living the Gospel is all about.

"I run in the path of your commands,

For you have set my heart free"

Psalm 119:32

- Written by L. M Clark